Ranken, David, a Scotch divine, was a member of the Episcopal Church of Scotland at Edinburgh in the first half of the 18th century, and was an author of some repute. He published, Thret Discourses, 1 Pet. iii, 13. 14 (Edin. 1716, 8vo) :— Three Discourses, 1 Pet. iii. 1 1. 16 (1716, 8vo):— Serm., 1 Pet. iii, 13-16 (1717, 8vo) :— Serins. (1720, 8vo) : — Three Discourses. Phil. i. 27 (1722. 8 vo).
Rankin, Thomas, a somewhat noted minister of the early Methodist Episcopal Church — one of Wes- ley's general assistants— was born in Dunbar, Scotland, 1738. lie was religiously trained by his parents, and, at an early age, expressed the desire to become a min- ister of the Gospel. Alter the death of his father, he formed bad acquaintances, and gave himself up to worldly amusements. When he was seventeen years of age. Dunbar was visited by troops of dragoons, among whom were a number of devout Christians, who held meetings morning and evening. Young Rankin at- tended, and was deeply impressed. He afterwards re- moved to Edinburgh, where he came under the personal influence of Mr. Whitetield, and was decided to devote himself to Christian work. With this inn pose in view, he prepared to enter the College at Edinburgh. Cir- cumstances, however, occurred which prevented his taking a collegiate course; and. by the advice of a friend, he sailed for America, to engage in a commercial enterprise. Wearying of this life, he was glad to find himself once more in Scotland, breathing a more con- genial religious atmosphere. Shortly after his return, he met a Methodist minister, who saw the unsettled condition of his mind, anil invited Rankin to visit, with
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him, the different Methodist societies ofthe North. He waa even prevailed upon to preach, though he consent- ed with great reluctance, and waa bo dissatisfied with hima If thai be waa often well-nigh resolved to attempt it no more. While in this state of mind, he listened to Hi" preaching of Wesley, and from that time had the miration lor him. After a great spirit- ual conflict, he sought Wesley, and related to him his of I be two preceding \ ears. Wesli y ad- vised him t" persevere in his religious work, ami so re- is doubts that he expressed himself willing to be known everywhere "as a poor, despised Methodist preacher." He was regularly appointed in 1 7 • ', 1 to the Sussex Circuit, and in the following year to the Shef- field Circuit, A i the next Conference, be was appointed to the Devonshire Circuit. In 1 7 » ", i be became assistant- preacher in the Cornwall Circuit. In 1765 he was ap- pointed i" spend a part of the year in the Newcastle and a pari in the Dales Circuit. In 1766 he was sta- tioned n; the Epworth Circuit, and, upon request
of Hi" people, was returned the second year. In 1768 he was appointed to labor again in the west ol Corn- wall. In 1769 he was Bent to the London and Sussex Circuit, ami also travelled with John Wesley on his preaching tour through the kingdom. In L770 he ac- c impanied Wesley to the west of England, and every- where their labors met with great success. In 1771 he was once more stationed with his friends in Cornwall While at the conference held at Leeds, he met captain Webb, lately arrived from America, Wesley had be- come greatly dissatisfied with the management ofthe American mission, and. when the question came up he- fore the conference, intimated his desire to send Ran- kin as general superintendent. The appointment was made: and he. together with George Shadford, sailed for America in 177:!. Soon after his arrival, Rankin called a conference, the lirsi ever held in America, July -I, 177::. at Philadelphia. Asbury had been previously appointed and sent over as the general assistant ofthe societies in America: hut as Rankin had travelled sev- eral j ears longer, he took precedence over Asbury when he reached here. Besides, the displeasure "i Wesley against the American work had probably led him to s led for the place a man who could claim superiority over Asbury. Rankin, therefore, held the place of
"general assistant" while here, and presided at the Conferences which convened while he was in America. He was stationed at New York and Philadelphia alter- nately, and remained in this country until 177s. when he again appears at work in England. lie visited, while here, many ofthe churches then within the terri- tory known as the Philadelphia Conference, and would probably have remained, had not the Revolutionary Struggle made his stay ill-advised. Immediately alter his return to England, he was stationed at London, where he lived tWO years. In 1783 he asked to he made a supernumerary; and after this date he lived quietly in the English metropolis until his death, .May 17. 1810. He was buried in City Road, mar Wesley, lie was a truly pious man. but too stern and uncompromising to as a leader; and he failed in this country to he
of any especial sen ice to Asbury, w bom he was intended to assist. He never wavered in difficulties and trials, an- 1 showed a truly heroic spirit iii the hour of need. His irregular education had probably as much to do with his inconsistencies of conduct as his natural propensity to the severe aspects of life. See Stevens, HisLqf Method- ism, i. 239; and his //!.</. of the .'/. /■'. <'l>. (see Index) ; ' I/. /■''/,.( \.y. l838,2vols. l:'mio.i, 77 124; Wakeley, Lost Chapters (see Index) ; Sprague, Annals ofthe Amer. Pulpit, vn, 28 34. (J. II.W.i